Shipping giant Cargill has combined its drive for renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels with its massive presence in the maritime industry to test what appears to be centuries-old technology. The British-designed WindWings system, a huge, rigid set of “sails,” was retrofitted to a cargo ship as a pilot test and the shipping firm is thrilled with the promising results so far.

The WindWings technology has proven its potential over 6 months of scrutiny

The WindWings technology was tested on the Pyxis Ocean bulk carrier vessel and involved an installation of fixed, solid “sails” resembling the technology of centuries ago. The testing period lasted for six months and Gargill’s data proves that the system is effective at reducing carbon dioxide emissions and cutting down on fuel use. The shipping firm says the results “underscore the potential” of wind energy to reduce the carbon footprint left by the shipping industry.

Experts are somewhat less enthusiastic, describing the results as “very encouraging” but pointing out that until the technology is adopted by a vastly larger number of vessels, the difference it makes in combatting carbon emissions is a mere drop in the ocean.

A different kind of wind energy production is also developing out on the ocean in the form of a wall of power-generating wind turbines, proving that more than one industry is looking to wind energy as a solution to reduce carbon emissions.

The WindWings technology goes far beyond the standard sail

Ships have been powered by sails for all known history, but the “sails” on the Pyxis Ocean vessel are fundamentally different from the soft canvas type that comes to mind. The WindWings fixtures are made out of the same material used to construct wind turbine blades, and they’re operated by a mechanism that allows them to be folded down when in port. When standing on the open seas, they are 123 feet tall.

Reliable data shows positive environmental impact and potential

The WindWings were fitted to the Pyxis Ocean in Shanghai and the ship left port in August 2023. For the six months of testing, the ship traveled the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the North and South Atlantic. Figures report an average of three metric tons of fuel saved daily, which is the equivalent of 11.2 tons of carbon dioxide emissions reduced. If this is applied to a year, it’s the equivalent of having 480 fewer fossil fuel-powered cars on the road.

Considering that international shipping activity is responsible for an estimated 837 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year (2.1% of global emissions), the volumes saved by the WindWings on the Pyxis Ocean are minute. But Cargill is encouraged by the future potential. Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation division, expressed his positivity:

“We believe technologies that harness the wind could be an important, cost-effective way to achieve our decarbonization goals in the short, medium, and long term.”

What does the future look like for WindWings?

Next on the to-do list for Cargill to develop the technology further is finding ways for ships to berth while the WindWings are up, and it’s engaging with more than 250 international ports to find solutions.

The UK firm that designed the WindWings, BAR Technologies, is actively sourcing vessels whose owners are prepared to fit the fuel-saving installations and foster the development of the tech. BAR Technologies plans to use three wings in the future rather than two, which will increase the amount of fuel saved and emissions reduced.

Managing director at the maritime data firm Clarksons Research, Stephen Gordon, says the decision to refurbish a vessel rather than install the WindWings on a new ship was a clever move:

“The option to retrofit to an existing fleet – as has been done with the Pyxis Ocean – is very helpful. It will take decades to deliver all the new ships needed for the decarbonization journey. Even today, shipyards globally are full, and lead times for delivery are averaging three-and-a-half years.”

The maritime industry is running full steam ahead while combatting carbon emissions and innovations abound. Another example of a new shipping industry innovation fostering green technology is a company out of Scotland that’s revolutionizing hydrogen bunkering out at sea.